Draft thread

[StumpHunter]

He was my favorite QB outside of Tua, and I would have taken him at 25 if I were in charge of the draft.

It could be he sucks, but at least one GM really liked him. Probably more than one since the Packers didn't feel he would last until their pick.

I mean really liked him. They have one of the best QBs of our time for at least a few more years and they traded up in the first for Love, knowing Rodgers is probably going to be really pissed about that pick. You don't do that unless you are 100% sold on a QB as a prospect.

This is just my opinion and I could be very wrong about Love as a QB, but based on how much I liked Love, passing on him to have him go to a team they play twice a year is far worse than any first round bust, failing to get your pick in on time or anything else the Vikings have done in the draft.

GB is a good place for him to go in the sense that he'll have a couple years to mature, but I doubt he ever recovers from the psychological torture Aaron Rodgers is going to dole out on him.

Poor bastard.

[fiestavike]

For those interested, I see fanspeak now has the first round up to our pick as it actually occurred. Could be fun to see mocks for the rest of the draft, or some from folks who would've done something different than Spielman actually did.

[Texas Vike]

I get confused...We are a run first team according to Zimmer.
We're paying a throwing QB good money,yet we don't have a good line.
And we draft a slot WR who had 109 of his 110 catches from the slot. Slot WR's are abundant this year in the draft. I feel we could have got similar value in later rounds.
Plus we have AT and Bisi who work out of the slot.

To me our priorities last night was to upgrade the line, did we accomplish that? Not in my opinion.
The extra picks we got from the 49ers let's see when we cut down to 53 where them picks end up.

I think Zimmer and Kubiak want a balanced offense. If there had been good value at OL at their picks, they might have gone that route. Instead, they got great value at 22 at another position of need. I don't think calling WR a position of need is a stretch.
Also note: the Vikings were trying to trade up into the teens for Jefferson, but instead got him at 22.

Re: Jefferson as a slot WR. He can play outside and inside. The emergence of Ja'Mar Chase on the outside pushed Jefferson inside. From my understanding, Jefferson can do both. Kubiak was super high on him and I trust that he knows what he needs for his offense.

I like that we traded 25, to add ammo to our ability to move around today and tomorrow and we still got the guy we were likely targeting. I look for us to snag Josh Johnson or Ezra Cleveland today, possibly moving up in the 2nd to do so.

[RandyMoss84]

I get confused...We are a run first team according to Zimmer.
We're paying a throwing QB good money,yet we don't have a good line.
And we draft a slot WR who had 109 of his 110 catches from the slot. Slot WR's are abundant this year in the draft. I feel we could have got similar value in later rounds.
Plus we have AT and Bisi who work out of the slot.

To me our priorities last night was to upgrade the line, did we accomplish that? Not in my opinion.
The extra picks we got from the 49ers let's see when we cut down to 53 where them picks end up.

I think Zimmer and Kubiak want a balanced offense. If there had been good value at OL at their picks, they might have gone that route. Instead, they got great value at 22 at another position of need. I don't think calling WR a position of need is a stretch.
Also note: the Vikings were trying to trade up into the teens for Jefferson, but instead got him at 22.

Re: Jefferson as a slot WR. He can play outside and inside. The emergence of Ja'Mar Chase on the outside pushed Jefferson inside. From my understanding, Jefferson can do both. Kubiak was super high on him and I trust that he knows what he needs for his offense.

I like that we traded 25, to add ammo to our ability to move around today and tomorrow and we still got the guy we were likely targeting. I look for us to snag Josh Johnson or Ezra Cleveland today, possibly moving up in the 2nd to do so.

You mean Josh Jones but if Vikings snag Josh Jones or Ezra Cleveland then that means that Vikings are not going to get Trent, I also would be happy with Neve Gallimore or Antoine Winfield

[Texas Vike]

I think Zimmer and Kubiak want a balanced offense. If there had been good value at OL at their picks, they might have gone that route. Instead, they got great value at 22 at another position of need. I don't think calling WR a position of need is a stretch.
Also note: the Vikings were trying to trade up into the teens for Jefferson, but instead got him at 22.

Re: Jefferson as a slot WR. He can play outside and inside. The emergence of Ja'Mar Chase on the outside pushed Jefferson inside. From my understanding, Jefferson can do both. Kubiak was super high on him and I trust that he knows what he needs for his offense.

I like that we traded 25, to add ammo to our ability to move around today and tomorrow and we still got the guy we were likely targeting. I look for us to snag Josh Johnson or Ezra Cleveland today, possibly moving up in the 2nd to do so.

You mean Josh Jones but if Vikings snag Josh Jones or Ezra Cleveland then that means that Vikings are not going to get Trent, I also would be happy with Neve Gallimore or Antoine Winfield

Yes! Too many J's and too many prospects with J's. I'm fine with missing out on Trent, unless it's on our terms. Furthermore, our OL needs a huge infusion of talent. We need steady and consistent investment all along the OL.

[fiestavike]

PFN mock draft also has updated, and they allow trades. I opted not to make trades just to get a sense of where the dominoes might fall.

22.
Justin Jefferson
WR LSU

31.
Jeff Gladney
CB TCU

58.
Antoine Winfield Jr.
S Minnesota

89.
Matt Hennessy
C Temple

105.
Khalid Kareem
DE Notre Dame

117.
Kindle Vildor
CB Georgia Southern

132.
Jonah Jackson
G Ohio State

155.
Tanner Muse
S Clemson

176.
Zack Moss
RB Utah

201.
Kevin Dotson
G Louisiana

205.
Tyrie Cleveland
WR Florida

219.
Harrison Hand
CB Temple

249.
Chris Williamson
CB Minnesota

253.
Michael Warren II
RB Cincinnati

[RandyMoss84]

PFN mock draft also has updated, and they allow trades. I opted not to make trades just to get a sense of where the dominoes might fall.

22.
Justin Jefferson
WR LSU

31.
Jeff Gladney
CB TCU

58.
Antoine Winfield Jr.
S Minnesota

89.
Matt Hennessy
C Temple

105.
Khalid Kareem
DE Notre Dame

117.
Kindle Vildor
CB Georgia Southern

132.
Jonah Jackson
G Ohio State

155.
Tanner Muse
S Clemson

176.
Zack Moss
RB Utah

201.
Kevin Dotson
G Louisiana

205.
Tyrie Cleveland
WR Florida

219.
Harrison Hand
CB Temple

249.
Chris Williamson
CB Minnesota

253.
Michael Warren II
RB Cincinnati

I will be surprised if Winfield fell to #58

[RandyMoss84]

I sure miss the weekend draft, we could have been watching the draft right now instead of waiting until tonight

[fiestavike]

PFN mock draft also has updated, and they allow trades. I opted not to make trades just to get a sense of where the dominoes might fall.

22.
Justin Jefferson
WR LSU

31.
Jeff Gladney
CB TCU

58.
Antoine Winfield Jr.
S Minnesota

89.
Matt Hennessy
C Temple

105.
Khalid Kareem
DE Notre Dame

117.
Kindle Vildor
CB Georgia Southern

132.
Jonah Jackson
G Ohio State

155.
Tanner Muse
S Clemson

176.
Zack Moss
RB Utah

201.
Kevin Dotson
G Louisiana

205.
Tyrie Cleveland
WR Florida

219.
Harrison Hand
CB Temple

249.
Chris Williamson
CB Minnesota

253.
Michael Warren II
RB Cincinnati

I will be surprised if Winfield fell to #58

Yes, of course, I would too. But if not him, someone else. This is not meant to be predictive of a particular outcome.

[fiestavike]

I sure miss the weekend draft, we could have been watching the draft right now instead of waiting until tonight

me too! loved getting up early in the morning and watching the draft. The primetime draft is a bummer.

[RandyMoss84]

I sure miss the weekend draft, we could have been watching the draft right now instead of waiting until tonight

me too! loved getting up early in the morning and watching the draft. The primetime draft is a bummer.

I have never been a morning person but I sure loved getting up in the morning being excited for the draft, I really miss that!

[VikingLord]

Haven't had a chance to read most of this thread, but wanted to throw out some observations on the 1st round.

- Jefferson was the right pick at #22. Whether he turns out to be worth that high of a selection remains to be seen, but I can't argue that someone else was BPA at that choice. I've seen some comments where people think Jefferson is a slot receiver. The guy is 6'1" and 200 pounds and can probably add some more weight once he gets into a pro conditioning program. He ran a 4.43 at the combine. He's known as an excellent route runner and a hard worker and an on-field leader.

By comparison, Adam Thielen is 6'2" and 200 pounds (4.45 at his pro day). Stefon Diggs is 6'0" and 191 pounds (4.46 40 at the Combine).

Just because a player plays at a certain position in college does not consign the player to that position in the pros. Jefferson played a lot of slot receiver because the offense LSU ran put him in the slot. Based on the above, it is not unreasonable to believe Jefferson can play outside WR and play it very well.

- Would I have preferred to see the Vikings focus on their lines at #22? The answer to that is maybe and the reason it is maybe is because of what happened after pick #22. Other than Isaiah Wilson of Georgia (OT), nobody taken after #22 was either an OL or DL. That pushes a lot of very talented OL/DL into the 2nd round, and due to his trade back with the 49ers Spielman bought himself ammo to move in round 2 should he covet a lineman. There is a very good chance he could move up into the 1st half of Round 2 now and snag an OL/DL he likes while keeping #58. Not saying I think he's going to do that - just saying he gave himself the ability to do it and the draft is playing out in a way that makes it likely he can still find immediate starters for one or both of his lines.

- Trading down from #25 and still getting the CB he wanted was very astute. The kind of astute move you hope your GM makes if the opportunity presents itself.

- Gladney is a good prospect. I personally think the CBs not named Okudah in this class were all pretty speculative. Lots of talent at the position, but a flat class. Of that "everyone else" part of the CB class, though, Gladney brings a pretty high upside as a pro. He is definitely capable of getting on the field right away and contributing. Given how everything else is shaking out, I'm happy with this pick as well.

- What will Rick Spielman do in Round 2? He currently sits at #58, but still has some major holes to fill. There is a chance Spielman might try to move up. If he wants Winfield, I think he's got to move up to around pick #40 because I don't see Winfield last past the Bears at #43. But does he want Winfield? Maybe he drafts Winfield as a slot DB? He'd make an excellent one. Or does he move up to grab one of the talented OL/DL players?

[psjordan]

I've seen some comments where people think Jefferson is a slot receiver. Just because a player plays at a certain position in college does not consign the player to that position in the pros. Jefferson played a lot of slot receiver because the offense LSU ran put him in the slot.

Folks seem to be missing that Jefferson played out wide every year he played WR except for last year when LSU put him in the slot. I think he will be a very productive player for us and brings great versatility. Wish he was a bit taller so he could add more muscle to his frame, but I think he'll be fine and was a great pick at 22.

[RandyMoss84]

Haven't had a chance to read most of this thread, but wanted to throw out some observations on the 1st round.

- Jefferson was the right pick at #22. Whether he turns out to be worth that high of a selection remains to be seen, but I can't argue that someone else was BPA at that choice. I've seen some comments where people think Jefferson is a slot receiver. The guy is 6'1" and 200 pounds and can probably add some more weight once he gets into a pro conditioning program. He ran a 4.43 at the combine. He's known as an excellent route runner and a hard worker and an on-field leader.

By comparison, Adam Thielen is 6'2" and 200 pounds (4.45 at his pro day). Stefon Diggs is 6'0" and 191 pounds (4.46 40 at the Combine).

Just because a player plays at a certain position in college does not consign the player to that position in the pros. Jefferson played a lot of slot receiver because the offense LSU ran put him in the slot. Based on the above, it is not unreasonable to believe Jefferson can play outside WR and play it very well.

- Would I have preferred to see the Vikings focus on their lines at #22? The answer to that is maybe and the reason it is maybe is because of what happened after pick #22. Other than Isaiah Wilson of Georgia (OT), nobody taken after #22 was either an OL or DL. That pushes a lot of very talented OL/DL into the 2nd round, and due to his trade back with the 49ers Spielman bought himself ammo to move in round 2 should he covet a lineman. There is a very good chance he could move up into the 1st half of Round 2 now and snag an OL/DL he likes while keeping #58. Not saying I think he's going to do that - just saying he gave himself the ability to do it and the draft is playing out in a way that makes it likely he can still find immediate starters for one or both of his lines.

- Trading down from #25 and still getting the CB he wanted was very astute. The kind of astute move you hope your GM makes if the opportunity presents itself.

- Gladney is a good prospect. I personally think the CBs not named Okudah in this class were all pretty speculative. Lots of talent at the position, but a flat class. Of that "everyone else" part of the CB class, though, Gladney brings a pretty high upside as a pro. He is definitely capable of getting on the field right away and contributing. Given how everything else is shaking out, I'm happy with this pick as well.

- What will Rick Spielman do in Round 2? He currently sits at #58, but still has some major holes to fill. There is a chance Spielman might try to move up. If he wants Winfield, I think he's got to move up to around pick #40 because I don't see Winfield last past the Bears at #43. But does he want Winfield? Maybe he drafts Winfield as a slot DB? He'd make an excellent one. Or does he move up to grab one of the talented OL/DL players?

Spielman said he wants to trade up today and there is a possibly that Vikings will be trading for Trent

[VikingLord]

I've seen some comments where people think Jefferson is a slot receiver. Just because a player plays at a certain position in college does not consign the player to that position in the pros. Jefferson played a lot of slot receiver because the offense LSU ran put him in the slot.

Folks seem to be missing that Jefferson played out wide every year he played WR except for last year when LSU put him in the slot. I think he will be a very productive player for us and brings great versatility. Wish he was a bit taller so he could add more muscle to his frame, but I think he'll be fine and was a great pick at 22.

He compares very favorably to the outside WRs the Vikings had last year. If those guys can have success outside, Jefferson can too.

One of the things I like the most about Jefferson is his route running. The guy understands how to run routes. He's pro-ready from that perspective and I think Cousins will be comfortable looking his way very early.

I think YikesVikes mentioned separation as a concern. I don't share that concern because Jefferson played in the slot for most of 2019 and it's pretty rare to see slot WRs who get a lot of separation as they're not asked to run a lot of deep routes. Jefferson was still very productive even out of the slot and despite not getting as many deep ball chances or chances to run deeper routes.